Chapter 195: High Stakes Gamble

Lightning arts are profound, and their power is absolute. It is said that they transcend martial arts and are a type of immortal art.

This vast land was once known as the Thunderous Ascent Realm. In that era, individuals gifted in lightning arts held a far superior status to other martial cultivators, even to the extent of subjugating those with pure immortal bodies.

It was the powerful emergence of Chan Hai Guan Wu that ultimately unseated the Thunderous Ascent Sect from its ruling position.

The name "Ling Xiao" (Ascending to the Heavens) itself signifies what it surpassed: the former Thunderous Ascent Sect.

One could say that despite the Thunderous Ascent Sect being the only major sect in the Ling Xiao Sheng Jing with widespread influence, dominating the Eastern Region and boasting disciples across all states, its current state is the most weakened and dilapidated compared to its historical prosperity.

This is precisely why the Thunderous Ascent Sect is so ambitious, aiming to dominate the entire realm.

In their eyes, they are not rebelling but rather re-emerging, seeking vengeance, striving for self-improvement, breaking out of the Eastern Region, and restoring the glory of their ancestors.

Thunderous Ascent Sect disciples, proficient in lightning arts, naturally possess top-tier combat power at their respective cultivation levels.

"Boom!" Thunderous roars reverberated through the street. Bright electric arcs crackled and surged, unleashing immensely destructive energy.

Young martial cultivators from various states, watching from below the arena, were all awestruck, gathering in small groups and discussing in hushed tones. Many were witnessing orthodox Thunderous Ascent Sect disciples for the first time, truly grasping the formidable nature of lightning arts, and conceded that at the same cultivation level, they would be hard-pressed to defeat Luo Zhan.

"Martial cultivators at the same level would struggle to defend against lightning arts with their protective spiritual energy; they would need to wear high-grade artifact battle suits."

"Metal battle suits are useless; only specially crafted ones can insulate against and block lightning."

"Attacks from a distance, using bows and arrows, hidden weapons, or mental power, might offer a counter. However, their attack speed would surely fall short of the erratic and spontaneous lightning, leaving them at a disadvantage."

Li Wei Yi's movement technique was light and swift, appearing as a shifting phantom, unpredictable as he wove through the lightning, constantly evading danger.

"Bang!" Seizing a brief lull in Luo Zhan's lightning art, Li Wei Yi shattered his protective electrical barrier with a single finger. Immediately, his next palm strike arrived with overwhelming force, its winds whistling like a powerful gust, sending Luo Zhan tumbling from the arena.

"Luo Zhan of the Thunderous Ascent Sect was defeated in seven moves."

Luo Zhan, unharmed, quickly steadied himself below the arena, his expression a mix of emotions.

He knew Li Wei Yi was formidable and had approached the fight with a calm mindset, not fixated on victory. However, as a disciple of the Thunderous Ascent Sect, failing to withstand even ten of his opponent's moves was utterly disgraceful!

Li Wei Yi, adopting the profound demeanor of a grandmaster, naturally offered some guidance: "The Thunderous Ascent Sect truly lives up to its reputation as the world's foremost sect. The profundity and sheer domineering power of lightning arts are unparalleled. Luo Zhan, do you know why you lost?"

Luo Zhan, replaying the fight in his mind, thought: "The arena you constructed is too small! I couldn't fully deploy my lightning arts. If the space had been sufficient, you might not have defeated me even in a hundred moves, let alone ten."

Luo Zhan believed his mindset was calm and rational, yet many present could discern his underlying reluctance to accept defeat.

Li Wei Yi shook his head with a long sigh: "The strong reflect on themselves; the weak blame others. You haven't truly recognized your own shortcomings. You rely too heavily on lightning arts, which leaves you defenseless once an opponent closes in."

"Furthermore, your lightning arts possess a fatal flaw: after executing your sixth attack, there's a distinct period where your spiritual energy struggles to maintain continuity. If you fail to address this weakness, and an enemy capitalizes on the opportunity, they will surely take your life."

"Today, it wasn't the Thunderous Ascent Sect that was defeated; it was merely you, Luo Zhan."

In martial arts, Li Wei Yi, having frequently received instruction from Master Can and Master Coffin, naturally spoke with conviction and insight. He could articulate everything from the impact of spiritual energy circulation on combat techniques to the varying strengths of power under different mental states. He could also advise these martial cultivators from diverse angles, including weaknesses and strengths, intent and spirit, among others.

In essence, he needed to provide compelling reasons for his mortal body to possess such formidable combat prowess, such as an unparalleled understanding of martial arts.

Luo Zhan stared blankly, his expression suddenly shifting. He felt as though every word Li Wei Yi uttered was absolute truth, as if he had been completely seen through.

"Thank you for your guidance, Young Master Li. Luo Zhan is thoroughly convinced of his defeat. However, I will return to challenge you again..."

Luo Zhan bowed respectfully, secretly contemplating how to rectify his weaknesses.

Li Wei Yi's voice was firm and resonant, every word decisive: "Who is the strongest fighter in the Thunderous Ascent Sect's Fifth Sea Realm, Fourth Stage? Bring him forth!"

"Young Master Li, Lu Wensheng is here," a resonant voice declared.

Lu Wensheng, his body enveloped in lightning, darted onto the arena like a serpentine beam of light, covering a distance of over ten zhang.

"Hiss!" The entire arena floor immediately erupted with countless streaks of lightning.

"Good heavens, Lu Wensheng has been roused!"

"This is the older brother of the Thunderous Ascent Sect's successor, possessing a Nine Springs Pure Immortal Body!"

"The Nine Springs Pure Immortal Body is merely a foundation; Lu Wensheng's true prowess lies in his lightning arts. It is said he has mastered the 'Eighteen Lightning Annihilation Array,' enabling him to defy odds and repeatedly defeat Fifth Sea Realm, Fifth Stage experts."

"At the same cultivation level, even the sect's successor might not be able to defeat him."

The young disciples of the Thunderous Ascent Sect all stepped forward, full of vigor and exuding an air of superior arrogance.

Li Wei Yi, completely focused, scrutinized Lu Wensheng, who stood three zhang away: "My true opponent has finally appeared!"

Lu Wensheng, exhibiting considerable grace, said: "You've fought many matches consecutively. Take a moment to rest; I'll wait for you to recover to your peak condition."

"There's no need. I am currently at my peak."

Li Wei Yi's Jade Void Breathing Method was exceptionally potent; even if the spiritual energy in his Qi Sea was depleted, it could recover at an astonishing speed. Furthermore, throughout the matches so far, he hadn't even drawn upon the spiritual energy from his third Qi Sea, wishing to maintain its accumulation progress.

Sensing Li Wei Yi's intense aura, Lu Wensheng glanced at the banners flanking the arena. "How about we raise the stakes a little? If you are defeated by me, you must hang these two banners on the gate pillars of Peach Plum Mountain for three days."

Peach Plum Mountain is the ancestral mountain located at the very heart of Qiu State City, serving as the residence of the Zuoqiu Clan.

Li Wei Yi replied, "I can't make that decision... Brother Lu, your intentions don't seem entirely benevolent."

"If Zuoqiu Ting dares to utter such arrogant words, he should face the consequences. If you truly cannot manage that, then let's alter the wager: should you lose, you must take these two banners and consume them in front of the gate of Peach Plum Mountain," Lu Wensheng stated.

The Thunderous Ascent Sect and Dragon Gate, these rapidly growing insurgent forces, had not come to the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival to simply pay respects to the Zuoqiu Clan. Rather, they intended to use this opportunity to suppress the Zuoqiu Clan and sway the Nirvana Temple to support their cause instead.

In essence, even though Lu Wensheng knew Li Wei Yi's strength was not inferior to his own, he still viewed him merely as a pawn. His mind was entirely focused on how to seize this opportunity to suppress the Zuoqiu Clan's prestige.

Li Wei Yi responded, "Brother Lu, what if you are the one who loses?"

"Then I will eat these two banners in front of all the martial cultivators present. Is that fair?"

Lu Wensheng, of course, had his own calculations. Ostensibly, he would only win if he defeated Li Wei Yi. However, in reality, merely withstanding ten of Li Wei Yi's moves would disprove the banner's claim of "Defeating all enemies in ten moves." At that point, would Li Wei Yi truly have the nerve to make him "eat" those arrogant words? As long as he structured the wager around the banners, he would remain in an unbeatable position.

"No, that won't work. If you eat them, wouldn't I have to go find Zuoqiu Ting to write another set?"

Li Wei Yi seemed to grow agitated, adding, "If I lose, I'll forfeit not only my dignity but also all the Spring Coins and Blood Crystals over there. As for Brother Lu's dignity, I don't need it; I merely want the equivalent sum of money."

"Young Master Li..."

Qi Wangshu felt that Li Wei Yi was getting carried away, allowing emotion to cloud his judgment, and should not agree to such an unreasonable wager.

Lu Wensheng's challenge was clearly aimed at the First Successor and the Zuoqiu Clan.

"Don't worry about me! He was the first to try and trample my dignity; this fight is unavoidable," Li Wei Yi asserted.

Qi Xiao, seated, frowned and cautioned, "Li Wei Yi, Lu Wensheng is a formidable fighter even when facing opponents a realm above him. It's best not to act on impulse. If you lose, the Zuoqiu Clan will also suffer a complete loss of prestige."

Lu Wensheng cast a glance at the three large boxes and small casket, containing over 200,000 Spring Coins—an undeniably massive sum. He didn't possess such wealth and was hesitant to engage in a battle he wasn't sure he could win.

"Ten moves," Li Wei Yi declared, gritting his teeth, his gaze unyielding. "I will defeat Lu Wensheng in ten moves, and I absolutely will not disgrace Young Master Zuoqiu."

"Excellent! What courage! The wager is set!" Lu Wensheng agreed immediately, fearing Qi Xiao might interfere and spoil the match.

Qi Xiao's face darkened, and he rose in anger, unwilling to associate with someone who seemed to have lost his senses. Qi Wangshu, however, firmly held him back, pleading earnestly, and only then managed to persuade him to stay.

The two on the arena had already assumed their fighting stances.

From one, potent spiritual energy surged, brimming with fighting spirit. From the other, lightning flared outwards, coalescing into a tall, imposing manifestation of his combat intent.

Knowing Li Wei Yi possessed exceptional movement speed, Lu Wensheng struck first. With a wave of his five fingers, five lightning serpents, each several zhang long, materialized and surged towards Li Wei Yi.

Li Wei Yi, naturally aware of his formidable opponent, was more serious than ever before.

To conceal his true strength before such a powerful opponent, yet still feign an all-out effort to defeat him, was no easy feat.

He unleashed the Pure Void Cicada Chase Step, revealing exquisite movement as he wove between the five lightning serpents, closing in on Lu Wensheng.

"This is your true mastery of movement techniques!"

Lu Wensheng believed he had forced out his opponent's true strength, yet he remained calm and collected. He unleashed a palm strike infused with lightning, directly clashing with the rapidly approaching Li Wei Yi.

"Boom!" The two instantly clashed and then separated, each retreating three steps.

While secretly astonished by Li Wei Yi's terrifying strength, Lu Wensheng calmly stated, "I am not Luo Zhan! Both my spiritual energy and physical body are cultivated, leaving me with no weaknesses. You are indeed formidable; few at the Fifth Sea Realm, Fourth Stage, can match me in raw power."

"However, if these are the only techniques you possess, you will undoubtedly be defeated within ten moves."

"Lightning Annihilation Array!" Lu Wensheng declared, pointing a finger skyward.

"Cihang Enlightenment!" Li Wei Yi countered, unleashing a formidable beam of light from his finger.

Lu Wensheng, left with no choice, had to abandon the Lightning Annihilation Array. He waved out a bolt of lightning, which violently collided with the incoming light beam, producing a series of explosions.

The finger technique and the lightning clashed fiercely, neither conceding ground. However, with only a single beam from the finger technique against multiple bolts of lightning, Lu Wensheng could be said to consistently hold the upper hand.

Qi Xiao's eyes were fixed on the arena. "If he can continuously fight with speed and prevent Lu Wensheng from unleashing the Eighteen Lightning Annihilation Array, there's still a chance of victory. But that would only happen after a hundred moves!"

Qi Wangshu and Zuoqiu Baiyuan were more anxious than anyone, meticulously counting the moves exchanged.

"Seven moves, eight moves... nine moves..." someone called out. "Nine moves!"

Simultaneously, Li Wei Yi, his body scorched black by the lightning strikes on the arena, let out a fierce roar. He pressed his hands to his temples, then quickly formed hand seals and chanted an inscrutable incantation: "Compassionate Deliverance, At Ease in Heaven and Earth, Karma Reversed, Dao Gives Birth to Chaos..."

"Whoosh!" It was still the Cihang Enlightenment technique, but the power of the finger strike had dramatically increased.